New hotline launched on Oʻahu to report ICE activity as arrests rise

HONOLULU (Island News) -- A newly-formed coalition on Oʻahu is asking the public to help document immigration enforcement activity, launching a hotline to report sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

The Oʻahu Rapid Response Coalition announced the hotline Thursday, citing what it said is a 461% increase in ICE arrests in Hawaiʻi in recent months. The group said some individuals have been detained without a criminal record.

“When this administration started, they said the priority for detentions was going to be those with criminal records,” said Neribel Chardon, a senior staff attorney with The Legal Clinic. “However, not even two months into the administration, that policy changed and everybody who is without a status or that overstay are the targets.”

The coalition said the hotline is designed to help track enforcement activity and create a record that could be used in court if needed.

Callers to the hotline — 808-824-4707 — will be asked to provide key details using a system known as “SALUTE,” which includes information such as the number of agents, the type of activity taking place, the location, duration and any equipment present.

Organizers said the goal is to observe and document, not interfere.

“If deemed necessary, our call answering team will dispatch our rapid response team to go on site to observe, to document,” said Gaye Chan. “They don’t interfere or impede, but we do put them on notice that we’re watching them and documenting what they do.”

The coalition said some responders are bilingual, though the hotline is not yet operating 24 hours a day as the team continues to grow.

Organizers said increased documentation can help hold enforcement actions accountable and support individuals impacted by future arrests.